Travelling from Chicago to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Chicago. Explore your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when organising your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo.
Hop off your plane in Sao Paulo at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Take a direct Chicago to Sao Paulo flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 10 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in Sao Paulo is UTC-3, which is two hours ahead of Chicago.
With seven weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo with United Airlines at 18:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the last flight from ORD to GRU is with United Airlines at 22:00.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your Chicago to Sao Paulo flight.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Sao Paulo
To score cheap Chicago to Sao Paulo flights, reserve your journey three months ahead of your departure.
June is the best month for landing a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Sao Paulo. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Sao Paulo.
Find an affordable Chicago to Sao Paulo flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're after a direct flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo, you can leave from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Get from ORD to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in one seamless trip.
Look out for promotions with United Airlines. This carrier offers direct Chicago to Sao Paulo plane tickets from ORD.
We make it a cinch to book a Chicago to Sao Paulo flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
ORD is around 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
74.85% of flights that take off from O'Hare International Airport make it to their destination on time.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Chicago to Sao Paulo flight, here's where you can stop when departing from Chicago Midway International Airport:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
You can get to MDW from central Chicago in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes to travel the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo? Kick back in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your break officially starts. Consider one of these stays:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 78%. This figure shows how often flights that take off from this airport arrive at their destination on time.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to central Sao Paulo takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 21 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo. Book one of these accommodation options near GRU instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Sao Paulo's main sights.
Reserving your vehicle from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport around two weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) is around 8 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. After your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo, it'll take you approximately 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take about 35 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to VCP. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make picking up a Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport rental car simple. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride three weeks before your arrival at CGH can land you a better rate.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Travel to the centre after your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo has arrived. Central Sao Paulo is about 80 kilometres from Viracopos Airport (VCP) and takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport can take you there in around 3 hours 25 minutes.
Begin your trip without worrying about how to get to where you're going with a Viracopos Airport rental car. Book your wheels with trusted companies here like Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Around four weeks before your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo is a good time to book your vehicle from VCP. You're likely to find a better rate or even snap up an early bird discount.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
July is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Sao Paulo. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Sao Paulo in April.
The warmest month in Sao Paulo is February, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC and 28ºC. Book your Chicago to Sao Paulo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 12ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Sao Paulo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Sao Paulo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Sao Paulo right here. Browse these hotels after you've booked your flight from Chicago to Sao Paulo:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista are major attractions which should be on any good Sao Paulo itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Belo Horizonte is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be explored after you've experienced Sao Paulo. Around 499 kilometres to the north-east, check out popular attractions including Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
Around 338 kilometres south-west of Sao Paulo, Curitiba is another essential stop in Brazil. Experience major highlights starting with Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, Museu Oscar Niemeyer and Largo da Ordem.
